Best job in the world

Choosing to become an actuary might be one of the best decisions of your life. It is regularly rated as the best job in the world, and here are a few good reasons why:

Great work

Whether it is designing innovative new products, building creative new business models or managing the risk of some of the biggest balance sheets in the world, an actuary’s job is complex, challenging and rewarding. These are some of the factors that make it one of the top careers available. The problems are interesting and solving them rewards the actuary with unusually high levels of job satisfaction. Your skills are also extremely transferrable, which means you’ll never be stuck in one job for life.

Awesome people

From very early in your actuarial career you will work with smart and talented people (often other actuaries) and be introduced to the leaders of business. And, since actuaries are often on the fast track to senior executive roles, your career growth is in the company of the most experienced and interesting characters available. All this without even mentioning the personal growth available to you through travel, mentorship and professional development.

Good money

It’s no secret: actuaries are well rewarded for their services. Very well. From their first job through to qualification through to being an experienced actuary the earnings they enjoy are some of the highest possible. Add the hefty bonus schemes and share options a senior executive gets (where an actuary often ends up) and it’s clear why most studies show an actuary as one of the top paying jobs in the world. For more detail, click here.

Travel

Being an actuary is a ticket to travel the world. The profession is global and a qualification, wherever it is obtained, is recognized around the world. Junior to very senior posts are advertised freely with healthy relocation benefits. Also, most employers are multi-national companies and transfers within these companies are often encouraged. As a young 20-something or adventurous 30-something or ambitious 40-something you have access to employment across the world if you are an Actuary.

Career Prospects

Actuaries move up the ranks fairly quickly and easily. Why? Because they stand out above the pack early and clearly. They have the skills, work ethic and tools to add tremendous value to the companies they work for and this is noticed by the Executive. In fact, most companies have specific talent management programes exclusively for actuaries to manage their careers and advancement individually. And it’s only going to get better for the profession. As the New World unfolds, as data, software and technology unleash across every industry at a rapid pace over the next few years actuaries will become more and more in demand. The deep analytical skills that Actuaries have are perfectly suited to the emerging Knowledge Economy.

Work-Life Balance

Actuaries have demanding jobs. That much is for sure. Working with billions of rands and running the balance sheets of global companies is not for the feint-hearted … but, for the most part, actuaries are able to maintain a healthy work-life balance. They typically have desk jobs and are able to keep a 40-45 hour work week. Don’t just believe us, many resources, including the Jobs Rated Almanac, have consistently rated the actuarial profession as a top-ranked job based upon factors including physical demands, job security, and stress, among other factors.

SOUNDS GOOD DOESN’T IT? FIND OUT WHETHER YOU WERE BORN TO BE AN ACTUARY TODAY